Harim Co. is facing public backlash after its chairman, Kim Hong-kuk, claimed that insects found in a chicken purchased at a supermarket were "harmless to the human body."

During a press conference held at a cinema in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, to celebrate the launch of the children's food brand Foodie Buddy, Chairman Kim said, "Eco-friendly farms have a lot of insects because they cannot use disinfectants, and they are completely harmless to the human body."

Kim also promised to improve hygiene management.

However, after Kim's comments were made public, citizens expressed outrage criticizing that he seemed more concerned with making excuses than apologizing, even after worms were found in the company's chicken.

Previously, a consumer who purchased Harim Chicken at the E-mart Dongtan branch discovered what appeared to be dozens of worms in the muscle layer of the chicken's neck last Friday.

In response, Jeongeup City officials completed a preliminary investigation, and the quarantine authorities have embarked on a secondary investigation.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has also identified a problem in the distribution process and is planning to review the cause of the foreign substance contamination.

The MFDS and Jeongeup officials have confirmed that the worms are the larvae of darkling beetles, which are found in most poultry farms in Korea.

Following the incident, Harim issued an apology statement.

"We are regrettable that the product with the foreign substance was distributed to consumers," the company said. "We promise to conduct a comprehensive survey of all processes from breeding to production and packaging and to prevent recurrence."

The MFDS said foreign substance was not safe for consumption.

"Beetle worms are registered as mealworms, which are used as an ingredient in various foods such as snacks because they contain a significant amount of protein and unsaturated fatty acids," an MFDS official said. "However, being registered as a food ingredient does not automatically mean it can be considered safe for consumption."